Pole-changer.



No. 685,887. Patented Nov. 5, l90l. W. F. WARNER.

POLE CHANGER.

(Application filed July 5, 1900.) ("no Model.) 2 Sheets-$heet WITNESSES. I INVENTUR,

AT TURF/E).

No. 685,887. Patented Nov. 5, l90l.

. W. F. WARNER.

POLE CHANGER.

(Application filed July 5, 1900.| (N M B 2 SheetsSheet 2.

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, UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIQE.

'WILLIAM F. \VARNER, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE \VARNER ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF MUNCIE, INDIANA.

POLE-CHANGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 68 5,887, dated November 5, 1901.

Application filed July 5, 1900. Serial No. 22,573. No model.)

To (LZZ whom, it may concern.-

Be itknown that I, WILLIAM F. \VARNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Muncie, in the county of Delaware and State of Indiana, have invented a new and useful Pole- Ohanger, of which the followingis a specification.

The general aim and purpose of this invention is to provide a machine for alternating or changing the polarity of an electric current and, although not limited in its applicat-ion, is well adapted for use in connection with telephone-exchanges to furnish an alternating current of electricity with which to ring their polarized bells,the current being derived from any suitable source conveniently, such as batteries.

A further object of the invention is to pro vide a machine of the character above intimated which can also be employed as a circuit-breaker or an instrument for producing a pulsating or interrupted current.

A further object is to provide a device which is actuated by an ordinary circuitbreaker requiring but little power and a device which will run continuously, making but little noise, and one that is practically indestructible.

These and other objects not hereinbefore mentioned are accomplished by the construct-ion illustrated in the accompanying drawings,wherein like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the several views, and in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of my device, showing a modified form of arrangement of the contact-points V and w. Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic View showing a different arrangement of these contact-points and the system of wiring used with this arrangement. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the vibrating arm shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a top detail View of the arm and contact-points shown in Fig. 1, showing the outer position of the flexible brushes in dotted lines.

In the drawings, A designates a suitable base for supporting the various parts of my device. B designates a post extending up from the base. 0 designates the rear end of the vibrating arm. This end is metallic and flexible and is connected to the post by the screws 0, which pass through an interposed block of wood 0. The outer end of the arm D is formed of wood or other suitable nonconducting material. At the rear end of the outer portion of the arm is located a contact E, which is in contact with the flexible portion 0, which is adapted to have a connection with the metallic portion and the flexible brush E, supported on the metallic post E. E is a set-screw for varying the distance be tween the contact-arm and brush. The post E is connected to one pole of a closed-battery circuit F of any suitable construction by a wire F. G designates an electromagnet connected to the other pole of the closed battery by means of the wire G. The magnet is connected to the post B by means of a wire G. g designates an armature on the arm opposite the magnet. By this construction it will be readily seen that I have an ordinary circuit-breaker for vibrating the arm. The current passing through the magnet, then through the wire G, and then through the post B and flexible metallic portion C of the arm will make a complete circuit through the contact-pointEand brush E and postE. This will magnetize the magnet, moving the arm to the left, but breaking the circuit, and when this is done the magnet will become inoperative and the spring flexible portion of the arm will make the arm resumeits normal position and once more make a circuit. This movement will keep on indefinitely. It is intended in the use of the device, as hereinafter described, to have the vibrating arm vibrate continuously.

While the invention is designed particularly for use in connection with batteries, so that the desired alternating current can be produced at a minimum cost, and such bat teries being shown at H in the drawings, yet it is to be understood that any convenient form of primary or secondary battery or other suitable source or means forgenerating electrical current may be employed, and it is to be understood that the term battery or batteries where employed is intended to comprehend and include not only a battery, but other means for generatingorproducing electric currents. Extending from one pole of these batteries is a wire H, which passes under the base and up through the same and is connected to the under side of the block 0 and is secured thereto by means of the pin H. The wire is then coiled, as shown at I, and passes under the flexible metallic portion 0 and is connected to the front portion D of the arm bymeans of the pin 1. For the purpose of convenience it then passes through an aperture 1' in the arm, passing to the other side, and extends forwardly and terminates in the two contact-arms V, which project in opposite directions from the arm, for a purpose hereinafter described. This particular arrangement of wiring is varied in the construction shown in Fig. 2, the wires H being extended around to the contact for convenience in illustration. Extending from the other pole of these batteries is a wire K, which extends around and is wound around a magnet. O in the relay, hereinafter described, then back to the rear of the device and up through the post K, and from the post to a connecting-pin K on top of the block 0'. The wire is then coiled, as shown at J, passing over the metallic flexible portion C of the arm, and is connected to the upper portion of thearm D by means of the post .1, For the purpose of convenience the wire is then passed downward through the aperturej to the opposite sideof thearm and then forwardly and terminatesin the contact-arms \V, which project in opposite directions from the arm for a purpose described hereinafter.

By having both of the wires 11 and K connected to the block 0" and passing under and above the flexible metallic portion of the arm and then connected to the wooden portion D these wires will be completely insulated from the metallic portion, which is very important to prevent a short circuit, and for a further reason, as will be remembered, this metallic portion acts as a conductor for the current operating the circuit-breaker.

By forming the wires H and K in the form of a coil under and above the flexible metallic portion I provide a very simple way of taking up the slack in the wires which would result in every vibration of the arm. The flexibility of the wires will correspond with the flexibility of the metallic portion, so as not to hinder in any way with the vibration of the arm and at the same time keep the.

wires in their proper position, so that they will not come into contact with this portion. As this is the only point where the arm is flexible and the arm vibrating all the time and as it is also desirable to use but little power as is necessary the advantages of this construction will be readily seen.

venience 1 will describe the modified form of I wiring shown in Fig. 2 in explaining the operation of changing the continuous current from the batteries to alternating currents.

By referring to Fig. 2 it will be seen that the posts 1 and 3 are connected together by means of the wires 5 and 7, respectively connected together at 9, forming a single wire 11, which extends to the bell 16 and then to the switchboard in the central office. The posts 2 and at are connected together by the wires 6 and 8, respectively connected together at 10, forming the single wire 1.2, leading directly to the switchboard in the central office. Se cured to each of the posts is a plate S, secured to the posts by means of a screw S. These plates extend toward the contact-points and have secured to their ends the yielding flexible brushes S, which are provided near their ends with platinum contact-surfaees s, which are adapted to engage the platinum points of the contact-arms V and \V, respectively. These brushes are very flexible and will yield, as shown in dotted lines, Fig. i, when the arm is vibrating and the contact-points come in contact with the brushes. As the arm is intended to vibrate continuously, the importance of the yielding flexible brushes and platinum bearings will become apparent. The yielding brushes reduce the friction to a minimum, making the device practicable, indestructible, and one that will run indefinitely without repairs. It will be seen from this construction that the current can pass from the arm to the posts through the contact-points, yielding brushes, and plates.

13y again referring to Fig. 2 and bearing in mind that one contact-point W is connected to one pole of the battery I-Isay,for instance, the positiveand the contact-point V to the negative pole of the same battery and assuming that the arm is moved to the left, thereby connecting the wire 5 to the positive pole and the wire 6 to the negative pole, a positive current will be sent to-the central oflice, thence through the hell or annunciator 16 over the wire 11, and a negative current will be returned through the wire 12. Now when the arm is moved to the right, making a connection with the posts and at, the positive contact-point W will send a positive current through the wires 8 and 12 to the central offlee, from whence it is sent to the aununciator or bell l6, and the negative contact-point V will draw a negative current through the wires 11 and 7, thereby alternating the currents in both wires 11 and 12 at each vibration of the arm. X designates ordinary binding-posts to connect the wires 11 and 12 to the base of the machine. It is to be understood that the wire 12 could be grounded, if thought desirable.

I11 the arrangement of posts and brushes shown in Fig. 1 it would be necessary to change the arrangement of the wiring. In this arrangement, as will plainly be seen, it would be necessary to connect the posts 1 and :4. to-

adjacent to those signaled over.

gether and 2 and 5 together. The arrangement of the wiring is immaterial, however, so that the positive pole is connected to one wire and the negative pole to the other wire when the arm is moved in one direction and vice versa when the arm is moved in the other direction.

I find it desirable to employ in the use of my device a condenser U to prevent sparks and also to prevent induction or noise in lines The condenser is normally not connected to the wires 11 and 12, but is automatically connected by means of a relay when the wires 11 and 12 are connected and in use. One end of the condenser is connected by the wire 13 to the wire 12, and the other end of the condenser is connected to a metallic post P by means of the wire 14. The relay consists of a metallic standard M, resting on the base A. The standard is connected to the wire 11 by means of a wire 15. On top of the standard is pivoted an armature h to the forward portion of which is secured a spring contact-arm M. This arm extends out over the post P, but is normally out of contact therewith. On the other end of the armature is located a counterweight N. Below this end of the armature is a supporting-post N, which can be varied in height by means of the set-screw N, which is screwed into the top of the post. 0 designates a magnet having wrapped around it the wire K, which, it will be remembered, is connected to one ofthe poles of the ringing-batteries. It will be seen from this construction that when the wires 11 and 12 are in use the cur rent passes around the magnet, drawing down the armature, so that the spring-arm MHvill bear against the post, making a circuit through the'eondenser, as will be plainly seen by referring to Fig. 2, the current first passing through the wire 12 into 13, through the condenser, from the condenser through wire 14:, post P, spring M post M, wire 15, to wire 11. \Vhen the current from the batteries is broken, the armature will be released from the magnet and will tilt backward through the medium of the counterweight, thereby lifting the spring-arm from the post and break ing the circuit leading to the condenser.

The purpose of this invention is, first, to prevent or remove the spark from the contact-points, and, second, to prevent induction or noise in lines adjacent to those signaled over.

Y is a counterweight secured at adjustable distances from the end of the vibrating arm by means of the set-screw Y to govern the speed thereof.

Z designates a switch for cutting ofi both batteries. As shown in Fig. 2, I show a double switch having the wire G from the circuit-breaker battery and the wire H from the ringing-batteries passing through the switch.

I am aware that many minor changes can be made in the construction and arrangement of parts and in the wiring of the different portions of my device without in the least doparting from the nature and principles of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm secured to the support, means for vibrating the arm, a ringing-battery, a pair of wires in the ringingbattery circuit carried by the arm, one wire connected to each pole respectively of the ringing-battery, contact-points arranged in pairs, each pair projecting from opposite sides of the arm, each pair of points acting as a terminal for each wire respectively, a pair of brushes on each side of the arm each pair adapted to alternately contact with the contact-points, a pair of exchange-wires, and branch wires connecting the exchange-wires to the brushes so that each exchange-wire will alternately be connected to each pair of contact-points on the arm and an annuneiator in the battery-circuit.

2. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm secured to the support, a ringing-battery, a wire connected to each pole of the ringing-battery, the wires secured to and carried by the arm, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for each wire, means for changing the continuous current at the contact-points to an alternating current, a circuit-breaker for vibrating the arm, and a separate battery for actuating the same and an aununciator in the battery-circuit.

3. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm having a flexible metallic end secured to the support, a circuit-breaker l'or vibrating the arm, the metallic portion of the arm acting as a conductor for the circuit-breaker current, a ringing-battery, a wire connected to each pole of the ringing-battery, the wires carried by the arms and insulated from the metallic portion thereof, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for each wire, and means for changing the continuous current at the contactpoints to an alternating current and an annunciator in the battery-circuit.

4. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm having a flexible metallic end secured to the support, a circuit-breaker for vibrating the arm, the metallic portion of the arm acting as a conductor for the circuit-breaker current, a ringing-battery, a wire connected to each pole of the ringing-battery, the wires carried by the arms and insulated from the metallic portion thereof and formed in a coil at the metallic portion, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for each wire, and means for chang ing the continuous current at the contact points to an alternating current and an-airnunciator in the battery-circuit,

5. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm secured to the support provided with a flexible portion, mechanism for vibrating the arm, a ringingbattery, a wire connected to each pole of the ringing-battery, the Wires carried by the arm and formed in a coil at the flexible portion, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for each wire, and means for changing the continuous current at the contact to an alternating current and an annunciator in the battery-circuit.

6. In a pole-changer, the combination with a vibrating arm, means for vibrating the arm, a ringing-battery, Wires to the opposite poles of the battery carried by the arm, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for the wires, and a yielding flexible brush located adjacent the side of the arm and with which the contact-point on the arm is adapted to contact and an annunciator in the battery-circuit.

7. In a pole-changer, the combination with a vibrating arm, of means for vibrating the arm, a ringing-battery, wires connected to the opposite poles of the battery carried by the arm, a terminal contact-point carried by the arm for the Wires, a platinum tip for the contact-point, and a yielding flexible brush located adjacent the side of the arm and with which the contact-point of the arm is adapted to contact, and a platinum bearing or contactpoint located near the end of the brush and an annunciator in the battery-circuit.

8. In a pole-changer, the combination with a support, of a vibrating arm secured to the support, means for vibrating the arm, a ringing-battery, a pair of Wires in the ringingbattery circuit carried by the arm, one wire connected to each pole respectively of the ringing-battery, contact-points arranged in pairs, each pair projecting from opposite sides of the arm, each pair of point-s acting as a terminal for each wire respectively, a pair of posts located adjacent to and on opposite sides of the arm, plates supported by the posts, the plates on each side of the arm projecting toward each other, flexible yielding brushes secured to the plates and extending therefrom, and arranged in the line of travel of the contact-points when the arm is vibrating and a annunciator in the battery-circuit.

9. In a pole-changer, the combination with a ringing-battery generating a continuous current and an annunciator, of means for changingthe continuous current to an alternating current, a condenser and means for automatically connecting the condenser across the ringing-circuit at the time of ringing.

10. In a pole-changer, the combination with a ringing-battery generating a continuous current and an annunciator, of means for changing the continuous current to an alternating current, a condenser, means for antomatically connecting the condenser across the ringing-circuit at the time of ringing, and a wire leading from each pole of the ringingbattery to the changing means, one wire actuating the connecting means for the condenser.

11. I11 a pole-changer, the combination with a ringing-battery generating a continuous current and an annunciator, of means for changing the continuous current to an alternating current, a condenser, means for automatically connecting the condenser across the ringing-circuit at the time of ringing, the said means consisting of a vertical magnet, a metallic standard, an armature pivoted on top of the standard extending over the magnet, a connecting-post, a spring contact-arm secured to the armature and extending over the post.

12. A relay adapted to be used in connecting a condenser to a ringing-circuit consisting of a magnet, a metallic standard, an armature pivoted on top of the standard, a connecting-post, a spring-arm carried by the armature extending over the post, a weight on the rear end of the armature, a supportingpost located beneath said rear end and means for varying the height of the post and a condenser and its circuit.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

WILLIAM F. WARNER.

Witnesses:

WM. DU VAL BROWN, L. C. HOWARD. 

